The Alberta government proposed Tuesday to help create 22,500 affordable spaces in child care centres, giving Albertans the option of choosing a public or private centre, by allocating $28 million to private operators. .The province is now “well on [its] way” to meeting the $10-a-day childcare goal set by the federal government. .With the help of the federal government, the Alberta government is expanding the Space Creation Grant through the Canada-Alberta Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. .“Private child-care operators play a crucial role in providing high-quality, affordable child-care options that meet the needs of Alberta families,” reads a press release from the provincial government. “To make child care more accessible to Alberta families, Alberta’s government is expanding the Space Creation Grant to include private child-care operators.”.“This expansion supports up to 22,500 new, licenced child-care spaces in high-need and high-demand communities across the province.”.Both existing and new child-care providers may apply for Space Creation Grant funding, which is now accepting applications through the Alberta Purchasing Connection website. The timeline is open-ended. .Eligible recipients for family day home agencies may qualify for up to $1,350 per month, while facility-based programs applicants may receive up to $6,000 for “each new licensed child-care space created.”.The Canada-Alberta agreement is set to result in up to 65,000 total child-care spaces which includes “42,500 non-profit spaces and 22,500 private spaces.”.Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services, said the goal is to implement a system that “brings together our unique mix markets of nonprofit and private childcare providers” through a five-year, $3.8 billion agreement.”.“High-quality, affordable child care should be accessible and work for all Alberta families,” Turton said. “Expanding the Space Creation Grant will help our child-care system grow and thrive, creating thousands of much-needed new spaces for children, as well as opportunities for operators and entrepreneurs.”.“Every parent deserves to go to work or school, trusting that her kids are safe and cared for,” Turton continued. “With this in mind, our government negotiated and made an Alberta childcare plan with the Canadian government that respects parents rights, right to choose the care that meets their family's unique needs.”.“We're making all types of licenced childcare for affordable and accessible right across our province,” he added. “That includes our valued private operators who provide approximately 60% of licenced childcare here in Alberta. I'm proud to say that our plan has already cut parents fees by an average of 50%. And we're well on our way to an average of $10 in the childcare by 2026.”.Krystal Churcher, chair of the Association of Alberta Childcare Entrepreneurs, elaborated on the province’s delivery model. .“Alberta’s child-care system is enhanced by offering families choice through our province’s unique mixed delivery model,” she said. “With the expansion of the Space Creation Grant, child-care entrepreneurs will be able to help alleviate increasing demand for child care throughout the province.”.Jenna Sudds, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, said in the press release having a solid child-care system is a “catalyst” for economic success. .“We firmly believe that a strong early learning and child-care system will be a catalyst for economic growth, increase women’s participation in the workforce, and offer each child in Canada the best possible start in life,” she said..“The additional child-care spaces made possible through the Canada-Alberta Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement and the Space Creation Grant will allow more children and families across Alberta to access high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care.”
